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Register today for this intensive four-day workshop

Held June 3 to 6, 2019, in Edmonton, Dr. Elna Yadin from the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety
provides thorough instruction on how to implement prolonged exposure therapy for survivors of trauma.

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For elected officials

WCB is here to help injured workers return to their job and feel like themselves again. Funded by employers, we cover workers for lost income and coordinate the health care and other services they need to get better after a work injury.

We care about our clients' experience when working with us and are committed to delivering service that is respectful, timely and compassionate. Our Code of Rights and Conduct details our commitment and holds us accountable in our interactions with Albertans.

How we will help

If your constituent has questions or concerns about their experience with WCB, we will work with you, your constituent and WCB’s Customer Service department to resolve issues and answer any questions you may have.

What would you like help with? What is the concern you would like to have addressed?

We will respond within two business days.

Learn more about the workers’ compensation system

WCB-Alberta was created by government to administer the Workers' Compensation Act for the province's workers and employers. We compensate workers for lost income and coordinate the health care and other services they need due to a work-related injury.

The system is guided by these principles.

Workers are eligible to receive benefits for work-related injuries no matter who is at fault.

Employers and workers have immunity against lawsuits for work-related accidents by others who are also protected under the system.

Compensation should be fair and take into account both the nature of the injury and the impact on employment earnings.

WCB is funded entirely by employers through the premiums they pay. Premiums should be fair and competitive. They should cover the full costs of claims, today and into the future.

Adjudication decisions are made in favour of the injured worker where all evidence for and against is equally balanced.

The system is structured and operates in ways that ensure its long-term stability and financial security as well as its overall cost-effectiveness.

Oversight of WCB is provided by a Board of Directors, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The board members are representative of the interests of employers, workers and the public.

Working together with our partners, our goal is to significantly and measurably reduce the impact of workplace illness and injury on Albertans.

Learn what WCB is responsible for

Assign costs to today’s employer to fund the system for today’s injured workers.

Manage a reserve fund to ensure WCB is financially stable to meet the needs, both now and in the future, of injured workers.

Determine entitlement of claims based on legislation and policy for workers and employers.

Rely on the support of employers, workers and health care providers to assess benefits or premiums and appropriate rehabilitation for workers.

Administer an insurance program for Alberta employers and coverage for Alberta workers.

Provide benefits, health care and rehabilitation injured workers need to recover and return to work. Where workers sustain severe long-term or permanent injuries, provide benefits to maintain their quality of life in recognition of the limitations of their injury.

Provide mechanisms for decision review for both employers and workers.

Learn what employers are responsible for

Fully fund the workers’ compensation system.

Maintain an account and pay premiums.

Work with employees to prevent injuries and illness.

Report workplace injuries to WCB.

Work with employees and WCB toward a return to the same job or an alternative job after a workplace accident.

Learn what workers are responsible for

Work with their employer and WCB toward a return to the same job or an alternative job after a workplace accident.

Maintain regular contact with their employer, WCB and their health care provider to help plan their return to work.

Participate in return-to-work planning and rehabilitation activities.

Learn what health care providers are responsible for

Work with the injured worker, other health care providers, the employer and WCB to assist in recovery and return-to-work planning.

Adhere to professional standards in the provision of services to injured workers.

Learn about the claims process

Stage 1: Report the injury. Workers, employers and health care providers should submit a report of injury. This form looks a bit different depending on what role you play. Here’s how to report for the worker, employer or health care provider.

Stage 2: Claim classification. After reporting, the injury will be registered and classified as one of the following: lost-time claim (missed time from work), no-time-lost claim (didn’t miss time from work) or interjurisdictional claim (injured in a province that they are working in, but are not a resident—the injured worker can choose where to claim).

Stage 3: Claim decision. An initial decision is made on the claim, and it will be given one of the following status types:

Accepted

Not accepted

Pending (a decision has not been made yet)

Processed (claim is registered and medical costs are being paid, but the claim has not been reviewed for a decision)

Medical investigation (further medical assessments are required before a decision can be made).

Stage 4: Treatment and recovery. We review each claim individually and talk with the worker to determine the benefits and services that are best suited to their recovery. We place a strong focus on rehabilitation to get the worker back to their pre-accident job.

Stage 5: Return to work. Throughout the entire claim process, we work with the worker and their employer to develop a care and return-to-work plan to help the worker recover and get back to work safely.

Learn about the types of coverage

Workers' compensation insurance is no-fault insurance. It provides:

Medical and return-to-work support services. Injured workers have access to the appropriate medical services to help them safely return to work. This includes chiropractic treatments, physiotherapy, counselling, etc.

Protection against loss of income. Compensation for lost wages is based on 90 per cent of the worker's net earnings or income.

Lawsuit protection. This includes protection for employers, workers and other parties covered by WCB. (If an employer is incorporated, directors must carry optional personal coverage to be protected from lawsuit. Personal coverage provides them the same benefits and services available through workers' compensation insurance.)

There are five types of coverage:

Worker coverage – most employers are required by law to have worker's compensation protection for their workers if they're operating in a compulsory industry.

Personal coverage – personal coverage may be available to an employer, business owner, director of a corporation or in a partnership. This provides them the benefits and services available through workers' compensation insurance.

Learn how workers and employers can question a decision

We know the decisions we make affect people's lives so we do our best to make sure every one is fair and considers all the facts. Even so, there will be times when we don’t agree. We believe the key to moving forward in these situations is listening and understanding each other’s perspectives.

Learn more about how to question a WCB decision, the decision review process we follow, and how workers and employers can get support.

Fatal AccidentsCall us toll free at 1-855-498-7969 to reach a fatality claim specialist directly.Specialists are available from 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. When calling outside of business hours, you will reach their voicemail. A specialist will contact you on the next business day.